A county council commitment to the rural economy by protecting and enhancing its county farms estate and boosting local food security will be set out in a new policy statement.
The council’s cabinet stated its intention not to sell any county farms last summer, with the new policy providing assurance and supporting one of its economic priorities in enterprise and innovation in rural areas.
Acting leader of the county council Martin Murray said it is important that county farms help to deliver a field to fork agenda, with food security for Staffordshire communities.
Providing an accessible entry point into the agricultural sector for aspiring and ambitious farmers will continue to be the core function of Staffordshire’s county farms estate – with business diversification and environmental enhancement supported.
A long-term vision for the estate is now set to be approved which outlines the strategy for its 6,500-acre estate which delivers good financial returns for the county. It recognises future local government reorganisation and aims to remain a basis for estate management in coming years. The county council’s cabinet is committed to protecting the estate’s 63 current holdings.
The farms estate acts as a farming ladder for those looking to establish and grow their business, providing starter lettings on 60 to 90 acre holdings for a ten-year tenancy. Progression lettings offer larger holdings and can extend a tenant’s total term on the estate up to 26 years.
To ensure a thriving and innovative estate, tenants are encouraged to diversify their business wherever possible. This could include direct food sales from the farm, farm shops and offering educational opportunities.
Tim and Laura Famer are tenants in Audley near Newcastle. Their business, The Bona Fide Farmers, produces grass-fed meat from their herds.
Tim said:
We just want to produce food that we would want to eat and that we think people will want to eat – with an emphasis on nutrition, taste and how our herd is reared.”
They also invite hundreds of children to their farm each year as part of a Defra schools programme, which has featured visits from as far as Leicestershire.
Tim added:
Staffordshire County Farms is a credit to the county council and we can’t speak highly enough of them. We’ve invested in the holding and understand how important it is to contribute to its upkeep as this supports the next generation of new farmers, who otherwise would not be able to get a foothold into business.”
WATCH: Tim and Laura talk about their experience as county farmers.
The policy also sets out how Staffordshire farm tenants also embrace biodiversity initiatives including hedgerow and tree planting as part of everyday farm management.
And whilst providing the grounding for agricultural entrepreneurship, the estate also generates income for the county council – in 2024/25 this was £734,000. This helps to provide important financial support for the county council’s wider economic development and business support activities.
The policy statement is set to be approved at next Wednesday's cabinet meeting.
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s acting leader, said:
County farms are invaluable to us as a council they are nursery grounds for new farmers here in the heart of the country.
Our new farms policy will prevent any Staffordshire County Farm from being sold or developed on. Our rural economy is hugely important, and the future of food security is something we all must protect for generations to come.
We know that we are a stand-out county nationally in term of the provision of county farms. Our estate provides opportunities in a challenging environment. It also encourages innovation and business diversity in farming methods and energy efficiency. And it remains commercially viable, providing a good return for the county council.
We’re committed to seeing the estate flourish and innovate, and this policy statement will help set its direction for the medium to longer term.”
